DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Sara Lee Corp. on Wednesday announced it is leaving the kosher meat business and shutting the doors to its kosher plant in Chicago.

The company said it will stop the production and distribution of products made under the Best'sKosher, SinaiKosher, Shofar and Wilno brands. Sara Lee will also close the SinaiKosher outlet store on the property.

The plant closure will mean the reduction of about 185 employees at the plant.

"This decision was made after careful consideration of our strategic, long-term plan, which focuses on categories where we have a strategic competitive advantage," said C.J. Fraleigh, Sara Lee's chief operating officer for North America. "We value the contributions made by our employees and are working to help them prepare for the future by providing severance and outplacement assistance."

After the plant’s closure, Sara Lee plans to decommission the equipment and place the building and property up for sale.

Source: Sara Lee Corp.